In Brief
A man accused of fraud and forgery under the Indian Penal Code had been held in custody for over two years. Although the charge-sheet was filed in May 2015, the trial had not started and charges had not been formally framed. The Supreme Court held that prolonged custody without trial commencement warrants bail. The Court directed his release on bail subject to conditions such as periodic reporting to the police station to address concerns about possible absconding, especially given that two co-accused had already fled.
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